Jonila Godole: Why the "Flamingos" of the protest are disappointed with the EU
2026-06-08 11:36:36
TiranaPost
By Jonila Godole/ In the #PublicSquare podcast, Ditmir Bushati noticed something that has not been commented on so far - that the EU flag is missing from the recent protests. Only the red and black one is being waved.
This makes you think. Albanians remain among the most pro-EU people, even according to polls. Therefore, the lack of the blue flag cannot be explained simply by the increase in patriotism.
But perhaps it signals something else. For years, the EU has invested in strengthening civil society, free media and democratic institutions in Albania. However, some citizens have the impression that, for the sake of stability in the region, Brussels has often been more willing to listen to governments than to societies.
When politicians (whom some citizens consider responsible for corruption, immigration, and lack of prospects) are constantly photographed alongside European leaders and congratulated for "progress," a gap is created between their official message and people's daily experience.
Does this have anything to do with the lack of an EU flag at the protest? I don't know. Ironically, the protest's demands: environmental protection, transparency, the rule of law, are quintessentially European values, despite the flag's absence. Perhaps this is the clearest message for Brussels. That young people are not turning their backs on Europe. But they are reminding it that regional stability cannot be an excuse for tolerating everything.
And this is a question that should concern Brussels itself.
